Kaiwaka, known as "the little town of lights", is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Kaiwaka River runs from the east through the area and joins with the Wairau River to form the Otamatea River, which drains into the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 1 passes through Kaiwaka. Wellsford is 20 kilometres (12 mi) south, Brynderwyn is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north, and Whangārei, the closest city, is 60 kilometres (37 mi) to the north. The Mangawhai Heads are 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Kaiwaka.